Its appeal may be more for dividends and buybacks than for rapid growth.

For that to happen, Apple's stock would have to rise almost 80% from its current price of $561. That potential hasn't been demonstrated over the last 12 months as Apple trailed the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Standard and Poor's 500 Index with an increase of just 8% in a robust bull market.

Where Apple is topping other stocks is in its dividend yield.

Apple's dividend yield is 2.17%, compared with the average for a member of the S&'s 500 of 1.87%. With an earnings payout ratio below the average for an S&P 500 member, Apple has plenty of cash to increase its dividend and initiate share buybacks.

Bill Miller, manager of the Legg Mason Opportunity Trust Fund, the top mutual-fund performer from 2012, told CNN Money in February that Apple was his favorite stock, and in another interview, he compared Apple with Nike (NKE) in that both have strong consumer brands.